Almouj Golf, The Wave, the host venue for this week’s crucial penultimate tournament of the European Challenge Tour season, is fast gaining a reputation as one of the great Championship courses in the Middle East. We give you a guide to this Greg Norman-designed wonder…

Course Overview

Opened in September 2012, Almouj Golf stretches across six kilometres of stunning coastline flanking the pastel-blue colours of the Indian Ocean, separated only by beautiful sandy beaches - all of which makes this venue an idyllic haven of pristine beauty that contrasts to the challenging yet enjoyable nature of the course.

Designed by the man they call the ‘Great White Shark’, the 7,342-yard par-72 course is laid out in a links style befitting its coastal location, with just one tree standing along the eighth fairway.

While the course is truly to international standard and designed by an Australian, it was conceived and created with a distinctly local flavour and incorporates all of the beauty and natural resources of its break-taking surroundings.

The massive greens and lush fairways are peppered with bunkers comprised partly of crushed white Omani marble, while natural local dunes line almost every hole.

Meanwhile, indigenous Omani plants, grasses and trees enhance the rough areas of the course and provide a natural habitat for local fauna.

Almouj Golf in Numbers

72 – Par of the course at Almouj Golf, The Wave

7,342 – the distance of the course in yards.

820 – the average size, in metres squared, of the intimidating greens at Almouj.

10 – The number of holes which have water hazards in play.

10.3 – The pace of the greens which the stimp reader indicated at the beginning of the week.

1 – There is one tree on the course, along the eighth fairway.

The view from the 18th tee at Almouj Golf

Other features of Almouj Golf, The Wave

A world-class golf facility, Almouj Golf also boasts Oman’s only floodlit par three course so enthusiasts and young rising stars can practice into the night.

As well as a private teaching area at the range, the venue also has a state-of-the-art indoor swing studio for members and visitors to tweak and perfect every little nuance and intricacy of their swing.

The Academy Lounge and restaurant, meanwhile, serves the finest cuisine throughout the day while the players this week might be thankful – with a full Champions’ League schedule taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday evening followed by Premier League at the weekend – that the bar area shows all major sporting events on the many big screens dotted around the walls.

What the designer said…

Greg Norman - “I believe that the true test of a golf course is that you should be able to remember every hole. Each one should have its own unique characteristics and the course should have as wide a variety of holes as possible. I think we have achieved this at Almouj Golf.”

What the Challenge Tour Tournament Director said…

José María Zamora –
“This course this week has been presented in perfect conditions despite the incredibly hot weather they have been experiencing in Oman in recent weeks. The greens are big and undulating and they are running lovely, some fairways are nice and open but at the same time there are three or four holes that are very tight.

The view from the second tee at Almouj Golf, a hole Tournament Director José María Zamora earmarks as his favourite

“The surface is paspalum seadwarf grass, which most of the players are not very used to and reading the greens is going to be difficult because they have a lot of grain. The putts uphill can be a bit slow but the downhill putts can be very fast and there are a lot of slopes.

“My favourite hole is probably the second which is a very long par three towards the sea, while the 18th is a very demanding hole with water along the left hand side – it’s maybe a driver and four or five iron.

“There are a lot players playing for a lot of different things and a course like this is what we need. We had a tough course last week in China and we need these courses to reward the best players who will eventually qualify for the Grand Final next week.”

What the players are saying (via Twitter)…

daniel gaunt ‏@dangauntgolf

“Some course here in Oman @SharkGregNorman One of the best we will play all year @Challenge_Tour. Gonna be a great week”

jamie moul ‏@jamiemoul

“Course is great at Almouj golf, Muscat this week for @NBOGolf @Challenge_Tour. Its going to b a hot week!”

Brandon Stone ‏@BrandonMStone

“Great practice round today ahead of the Oman Challenge event! Course looks great and in a spectacular surrounding! #OmanChallenge #Oman”

Tom Murray ‏@TomMurrayGolf

“Some course in Oman this week @NBOGolf, let's hope the wind gets up as the temperature is ridiculous!! #5glovesaday”